Adjustable platform



June 10, 1930. c. E. SCHULER ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM Filed April 25, 1927 V Char/es E Saba/er INVENTOR BY 6 I ATTORNEY Patented June 10, 1930 UNITED STATES CHARLES E. SCHULER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE INTERNATIONAL DER- RICK & EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM Application filed April 25,

My invention relates to adjustable platforms and, more particularly, to an adjustable platform for supporting electrical transformers above the ground.

Where transformers are used for outdoor service, it is generally customary to have the supporting platform mounted between spaced wood poles and it has been a serious problem to space the wooden poles which support the steel platform, exactly, due to the fact that the poles are not always straight and because of the varying conditions and nature of the ground in which the poles are set. Also, it is a well known fact that the steel platform will not fit properly if the wooden poles are out of line. Therefore, it will be easily understood that the method of assembling these platforms in the past has been expensive, in so far as there has been no possibility of making adjustments after the poles have been set in the ground.

One object of my invention is to provide a platform for supporting transformers that will have the requisite adjustments to compensate for any variation in distance between the supporting poles.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a transformer platform that is adjustable to accommodate various sized transformers.

A further object of my invention is to provide a transformer platform that will meet all requirements of easy assembly in the field.

Other and further objects of my invent on will appear in the following detailed descr ption and the preferred embodiment of my 1nvention may be seen in the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of my 1nvention showing the adjustable platform mounted between its supporting poles.

Figure 2 is a View taken on line 2 2 of Figure 1 showing the clips that permit adj ustment of the platform.

With reference to the drawings and, with particular reference to Figure thereof, I have shown the preferred e-mbodnnent of my invention as comprising an ad ustable plat- 1927. Serial No. 186,233.

form 1 mounted between and supported by former has been placed on the platform 1.

These braces 3 are secured at one end to the poles 2 by means of bolts 5. The upper ends of these braces 3 are spread apart and attached in a suitable manner to the transverse supporting elements angle irons 4 in a manner to be described.

These transverse angle irons 4 are secured to the poles 2 by means of bolts 5 and are stressed in tension, instead of in bending. Such members form, together'with the braces 3, a balanced system. By constructing the platform supports in this manner, it will be easily seen that there will be no bending stress present in the transverse members 4. This is a very important point, since constructing the platform supports in this manner makes it possible to employ lighter sections in the transverse members 4. It will be well understood that it is safer and more economical to use a support that is stressed in tension, instead of in bending. By having the transverse members 4 and the supporting members 3 stressed in tension and compression, respectively, makes it possible to materially reduce the size of the various members.

I-beams 11, of any size that will meet the specifications required by the load to be carried by the platform 1, rest upon opposite ends of the transverse angle irons 4. The I-beams 11 are rigidly connected to the transverse angle irons 4, in any desired position, by the clamps 6 held to the angle irons 4 by the bolts 7 The bolts 7 pass through and secure the braces 3 to the transverse angle irons 4. Any preferred type of clamping means may be used to hold the I-beams 11 on the transverse angle irons 4. The clamp 6 grip the flange 8 on the sides of the I-beams 11, holding the I-beams 11 tightly to the transverse angle irons. Such clamps 6 may be loosened to permit the I-beams 11 to be adjusted across the upper surfaces of the transverse angle irons.

Channel beams 9 are spaced on the upper side of the I-beam 11, with the flanges eX- tending upwardly. These channel beams are held tightly thereto by the clamps 10 on the under side of the beams and near the ends thereof. These channel beams 9 serve to prevent the I-beams 11 from' tilting and are laterally adjustable with relation to each other to accommodate transformers of various sizes.

By referring to the previous description and the drawings attached hereto, it will be seen that l have provided a transformer platform that may be used in place of any platform of prcsent-day construction. At the same time, my structure is such that its units are readily adjustable to meet practically any condition that may arise.

For instance, it will be seen that the braces 3 and each transverse member 4 constitute a unit in itself and each of these units is adjustable along the I-beams 11 to any desired position. This adjustment is facilitated by the structure of the clamps 6 and the upper faces of the transverse members 4 which make these parts readily slidable.

Also, it will be seen that the channel members 9, owing to the nature of the clamps therefor, are each readily slidable to any desired position upon the I-beams 11. Thus, these channel members may be equally spaced or certain of them may be concentrated at any given area and this may be accomplished with a minimum of difliculty. Likewise, this spacing may be altered from time to time with ease.

Because of these various capabilities of adj ustment, a platform may be made or altered to accommodate practically any size of transformer that is'used for outdoor service. It may be adjusted to suit any particular spacing of the poles. Also, the platform may be taken apart readily after use upon one job and adapted for use upon another job.

Furthermore, this platform can be made universal to suit practically every requirement of the user and will carrya larger load in relation to the material used. By constructing the platform from steel which has been thoroughly galvanized, I provide a platform which is capable of withstanding the influence of the elements indefinitely.

Various changes may be made in the details of my structure without departing from the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A platform comprising spaced longitudinal members, a plurality of supporting elements connected to said members and relatively adjustable independently of each other along said members, each supporting element including a pair of legs converging downwardly toward each other adapted to be attached to a support, and crosspieces connected to and carried by said longitudinal members.

2. A platform comprising spaced longitudinal members, a plurality of supporting elements connected to said members and relatively adjustable independently of each other along said members, each supporting element including a pair of legs converging downwardly toward each other adapted to be attached to a support, and releasable clamp members connecting said longitudinal members and supporting elements together.

3. A platform comprising spaced longitudinal flanged members, a plurality of supporting elements connected to said members and relatively adjustable independently of each other along said members, each supporting element including a pair of legs converging downwardly toward each other adapted to be attached to a support, cross pieces extending across the face of one flange of each flanged member, and clamps connected to said cross-pieces and extending across an opposing face of said flange of each flanged member to grip the flanges of the longitudinal members between the cross-pieces and said clamps.

In testimony whereof I, hereby, aflix my signature.

CHARLES E. SCHULER. 

